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Large ponies took over the Claiborne Ring on Thursday at the Kentucky Horse Park, concluding competition with the USEF Large Pony Medal, where 13-year-old Lourdes Low bested 21 entries to capture the victory with Agnes Hahn’s Splendid. Second place was awarded to Madison Moore and Watchusayin, while Katherine Fason and A Blond Moment finished third.

Bobby Murphy’s course proved difficult for many young riders, starting with a trot fence and including a double combination as well as a halt before the final fence. Low and the 11-year-old Welsh gelding rode to the winning round as they prepare ahead of next week’s USEF Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park. Low will be returning for her third year at the annual championship, but it will be her first year with Splendid and her first year in the Large Pony division.

Low, of Okatie, South Carolina, is qualified to compete in her second Marshall & Sterling/USEF Pony Medal at this year’s USEF Pony Finals, where the small, medium and large sizes will compete in combined competition on Sunday, Aug. 12, in the Alltech Arena.

Hunter competition will resume in the Clairborne Ring at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, with the remaining Large Pony Hunter over fences classes upon which the Large Pony Hunter champion will be crowned. The Kentucky Summer Classic will highlight hunter competition with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows, in the Stonelea Ring on Saturday, Aug. 4.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Lourdes Low – USEF Large Pony Medal winner

On Splendid:

“I tried my pony here last year and that’s when I got him. Whenever I walk into the barn, he’ll neigh for a treat. He really likes apples and bananas.”

On her plan:

“Our plan going into the ring was just to focus on all of our turns, keep my eye up and just have fun. I thought the outside line was pretty long so I really had to push him down that. I’ve never had to just go in and do a trot jump as the first jump before so that was different.”

On USEF Pony Finals:

“This is my first year going to Pony Finals on this pony, but I’ve been two other times on a medium. This is my second time qualifying for the pony medal. I’m really excited.”